Pioneers Can Gain Ground -- So Can Demps, Walker

September 6, 1985|By Mike Zizzo of The Sentinel Staff

Hidden in the shadows of super senior running backs Sammie Smith of Apopka and Elroy Harris of Winter Park last season, Oak Ridge's Reggie Demps is being touted as the area's premier back for the 1985 season.

Demps, an All-Metro selection, will spearhead a 7-4 Pioneer club with 15 returning starters. Working from the I-formation, Demps is considered the prototype high school tailback by Oak Ridge Coach John Hemmer.

''Reggie can give you the power inside and he can go coast-to-coast, which is a luxury,'' Hemmer said. ''He starts the season as the top back in the area. How the teams perceive him after he plays against them will be up to them.''

Demps, a 6-foot, 187-pound senior, rushed for 1,009 yards and 13 touchdowns with an impressive 6.9 yards per carry last season.

Teaming with Demps in the backfield with be Kevin Walker, a 5-11, 185- pound fullback. The duo will be counting on returning interior linemen Jeff Carey, a 6-2, 214-pound guard, and Billy Poole, a 6-3, 216-pound tackle, to open holes.

A question mark is the emergence of a quarterback. Incumbent senior Charlie Ramsey and junior Albert Randolph currently are embroiled in a battle.

''Ramsey is the classic drop-back passer while Albert possesses great speed which makes him a threat on the option and on rollouts,'' Hemmer said.

Their primary targets will be BrettMonroe, a 6-0, 190-pound tight end, and Mike Green, a 5-9, 160-pound receiver.

Anchoring the defensive line will be two-year starter Robert Pitts, a 6-0, 191-pounder. Hemmer characterized Pitts as a ''big-play'' defensive end, referring to his 68-yard interception return for a touchdown against Edgewater last season.

With the exception of returning cornerback Terry Gamble, the secondary will be hampered by inexperience at the other positions.

With the new district alignments, perennial powers Merritt Island and Vero Beach will be among Class AAAAA, District 6 foes. In addition, Apopka has become a member of the Metro Conference.

''If we win seven games, we'll be a good football team but we will be disappointed,'' Hemmer said.